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Honoring St. Paul's retired firefighters

A special recognition dinner will be held Friday night at St. Paul College to honor a group of retired St. Paul fire fighters. The dinner is one of several tributes to the legacy of African-Americans in that department.

The St. Paul Fire Department recently named its new headquarters after the Godette brothers. William Godette was St. Paul's first African-American firefighter in 1885. He eventually became a captain. His brother Alfred also worked for the department and died in the line of duty in the 1920s.

Al Boney is a current St. Paul firefighter who is leading the effort for more recognition for retired African-American fire fighters. Former Assistant Chief Tony Carter is one of the people who will be honored during Friday night's recognition dinner.

They spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the history African-American fire fighters in St. Paul.

Gallery

William (left) and Alfred Godette are seen here in an undated photo. The new St. Paul Fire Headquarters is named after them.Photo courtesy of the Godette familyView full galleryThe new St. Paul Fire Headquarters is named after William (pictured), seen here in an undated photo, and Alfred Godette.Photo Courtesy of the Godette familyWilliam Godette (moustache, seated) is seen on a Supply Hose Company St. Paul Firefighters buggy in 1908.Photo courtesy of the Godette faSt. Paul fire fighter Al Boney (left) and retired Assistant Chief Tony Carter.MPR Photo/Jim Bickal